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Monday, September 23, 2013

Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord, All Ye Sisters

A chart-topping album from the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist serves up beauty so we may open our hearts to God.

These are the sisters who
surprised even Oprah. Exuberant and radiant, the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist have been shining
their light in the most surprising cultural venues. Oprah herself was amazed to learn about how young women have
been attracted to this vibrant community, bursting with vocations, where the
average age is under 30. Now as always, vows of poverty, chastity, and
obedience bear fruitful witness. A life fully devoted to prayer and apostolic
service is ever beautiful.

Capitalizing
on that earlier media attention from daytime television, the sisters have just
now released Mater
Eucharistiae, a
highly successful album of sacred music that has quickly ascended the classical
charts since its release in August. Its calm and contemplative beauty brings
the listener into the aural space where the sisters themselves pray daily. By
sharing some of their favorite sacred music with the world, they make striking
use of modern media to issue a special invitation. They want everyone to open
their hearts to the peace and joy that they have discovered. This music is the
way of beauty by which
they make their appeal.

The sisters are a community of
consecrated women canonically established in 1997 by Cardinal John O’Connor of
New York. The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist follow the
monastic observance given to them by their tradition. This Dominican tradition
encompasses both common life and cloister. Thus they experience times of
silence on a daily basis, as well as sing the Divine Office and attend daily
Mass. In addition, the sisters have an active charism that blooms forth in
their love for education and the formation of the young. They teach in and
administer small, private Catholic schools, such as the Spiritus Sanctus
Academies in Michigan.

Clearly, these Dominican sisters
have used prayerful discernment and deployed their gifts wisely and judiciously
with their album release. This simple and humble offering of a selection of
music—a musical window into their life of joy—has obviously moved many people.
I hope you will buy copies not only for yourself, but also as quiet and
unassuming gifts to give to anyone. You never know what response a surprise
gift may evoke. The sisters’ music could stir up a surprising response in someone’s
heart.